Chatham County, NC Blogs

NO! The BOC voted 5-0 on February 5,’07 that we will retire the School Impact Tax if/when we gain authority and actually enact the 1% Land Transfer Tax.
We all agree that we do not need or desire both!

Apparently the eleven BOC meetings, over a twenty-one month  period by our previous board, developing a water plan that will carry us through 2027 isn’t good enough.

Patrick and I were part of that process and  frankly don’t exactly know what to think about the latest results.

“Discussion of value engineering review for water systems”  was item 9 on the work session agenda. The new proposal was to  hire an additional engineering firm to do a peer review of the Harnett Water Plan / Contract which was developed by Hobbs-Upchurch Engineers along  with our staff and BOC…and unanimously approved on 18 September ’06.  There was no scope of work,  estimated time line or cost presented for this proposal, but this action was approved by a vote of  3-2 with Barnes and Cross opposing.  The work of the Harnett Water Contract is already underway on  both sides of the Chatham / Harnett Line. The SE Water District is now on hold.

“Request to award bid for Western Transmission Lines” was item 28  of the evening agenda. That’s the line to service the voter approved  SW Water District and follow US 64 to Siler City. The bid award was pulled  from the evening agenda for the work session and tabled, pending  the results of the peer review by a vote of 3-2, again with Barnes and Cross opposing.    
    
So what does all this mean to many of our citizens?

1. It means the citizen customers of the voter approved SE Water District, specifically those on New Elam Church Road South, Christian Chapel Church Road South, NC Hwy 42 North to the Harnett Line, Mt. View Church Rd. West and Old Sanford Road North plus the Bel Meade Subdivision in the PBO ETJ-US 64 West for which the county has assumed water service responsibility are for now in limbo.
2. It means the citizen customers of the voter approved SW Water District are at least temporarily off the map. We can’t provide service without a transmission line.
3. Based on the phone calls, face-to- face conversations and emails I’ve already endured — many citizens are just as displeased with this decision as I am!

This meeting was held at the Albert Coates Government Center, Raleigh

• House speaker, Joe Hackney, addressed the delegates  concerning the heavy and important work load ahead   for our General Assembly.
• Secretary Bill Ross of DENR also addressed the group  concerning Air/Water Quality and Land for Tomorrow.
• We had a lengthy discussion as to how best to approach our Legislators in our efforts for Revenue Options. This   is an ongoing concern of many counties. I am working hard   getting our 1% Land Transfer Tax information packet to  all concerned. On January 24, I transmitted the packet  electronically to all 100 individual BOC’s and County Managers.  On February 7, I mailed packets to all 170 Legislators at their  homes. It will be citizen letter writing time as soon.

BOC Regular Session

• We made assignments to several county boards/committees.  Hopefully, we will have all this straightened out soon.
• We amended the Planning Board Ordinance such that Commissioners can make appointments congruent with our terms of office.

BOC Work Session
  

• We established Certification Criteria for Non-Profit Agencies requesting county funding. They must prove themselves financially  sound (audit/letter) before funds are released and there will also be an evaluation form to consider.
• We gave the Chatham ABC Board approval to discuss possible consolidation with PBO ABC Board. We have a total of 5 ABC stores in Chatham and 3 ABC Boards!? – Chatham, PBO and Siler.
• We voted 5-0 to retire the School Impact Fee if/when we are  authorized and enact the 1% Land Transfer Tax. We don’t believe  it fair or necessary to impose both either.

This event was held at the Western Chatham Senior Center, Siler City

I enjoyed attending lunch and the Graduation Ceremony for 14 of our county staff members completing our Leadership Academy. This is a one year course covering all aspects of county government which is taught by our Department Heads and Staff. Graduates also become our Chatham County Ambassadors. I think this was the first time that the entire Board of Commissioners attended.

This was held at the Cardinal Club, Wachovia Bank, Raleigh.

Approximately 125 Legislators and COG Delegates from around the state attended this event. Lots of smiling, hand shaking and “oh, by the way”, let’s take a good look at the 1% Land Transfer Tax !

This was held at the Sheraton Imperial, in Durham.

Many of the Legislators representing the TJ-COG counties (Orange, Durham, Chatham, Wake, Lee,  Johnston and Moore) attended. House Speaker, Joe Hackney, addressed the group and we enjoyed some  one-on-one conversation with the various Representatives and Senators. Of course, I spent my time pushing for the 1% Land Transfer Tax.. I hope the day will come when I can talk about something else!